Showcase of international music city The Hague- 8th edition

Last Friday 14, Saturday 15 and Sunday 16th of July, Musicon and Grote Markt presented the 8th edition of this internationally orientated music festival in Popdistrict, the musical heart of The Hague.

Every year the festival is a success, due to its formula of a laid back vibe combined with new musical discoveries from all corners of the world. Summertime Festival is free of charge and takes place on a vintage merry-go-round stage at the Grote Markt square. One of the perks: all music can be enjoyed from the terrace, but of course people got up and danced.

The line up ranged from free jazz, fado & cumbia to classical music, dreamy indiepop, funk and cross-overs between styles. This year’s programme had some big names like the extra large jazz/funk band The New Cool Collective, multivocal rock songs by Bells of Youth and jazz impro icons Han Bennink and Guus Janssen.

People danced to the music of the red hot cumbia of Mamihlapinatapai and klezmer/balkan party band L’chaim. But the festival also showcased new classical talent from the Prinses Christina Concours and collaborations between popular artists from The Hague’s vibrant international jazz scene.

The Festival aims to reveal a beautiful but often hidden aspect of the city: the blooming community of international musicians.

To show this cultural abundance and to get the audience acquainted with these musicians, who have roots in numerous countries, is the ambition of the festival.

This results in a line up that is quite different from the usual pop and rock acts and makes Summertime a special treat.